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It was a Thing on TV
Episodes
Wednesday Aug 23, 2023
It Was a Thing on TV: Episodes 399 & 400 - Salvage 1/Tequila and Bonetti
Wednesday Aug 23, 2023
Wednesday Aug 23, 2023
This week on It Was a Thing on TV we celebrate our 400th episode of the podcast!
First, in Episode 399, the late 70s experienced a sci-fi kick in theaters and on television. Someone had the idea to create a show which crossed science fiction with Sanford and Son, somewhat. Salvage 1 was about a crew who went to the moon to bring lunar junk back to Earth, but they did everything but that. What was Andy Griffith thinking?
Then, we have reached Episode 400! This time, we're talking about a show whose formula worked in theaters as Turner and Hooch, but the dog can talk?! And Italy enjoyed this so much, they revived it in 2000?!?!
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Timestamps
0:36 - Salvage 1
56:19 - Intermission (The Joey Gallo Update)
59:08 - Tequila and Bonetti
Wednesday Aug 16, 2023
Wednesday Aug 16, 2023
This week on It Was a Thing on TV we talk about Stephen J. Cannell and The Cube!
First, J.J. Starbuck fit a formula one prolific producer had used repeatedly and successfully. It got good ratings, despite being moved multiple times, though the ratings weren't good enough for the most popular broadcast network at the time. It also got beaten three separate times by a person who has problems with cheese.
Then, we present a live show that we recorded back in May here on PTBN Pop as Mike, Greg, and Chico watch the Season 2 Premiere of The Cube on TBS
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Timestamps
1:48 - J.J. Starbuck
1:28:30 - The Cube Season 2 Premiere
Sunday Aug 13, 2023
It Was a Thing on TV: Live Show 41 - The 2023 XFL Championship Game
Sunday Aug 13, 2023
Sunday Aug 13, 2023
The 2023 XFL has made it farther than its second incarnation by making it to the Championship Game! Can the title game fare better than the original XFL's 2001 Championship Game? In this Live Show recorded back in May, Greg and Chico live-watched the 2023 Championship between DC and Arlington from the Alamodome as they smell what The Rock is cooking.
Wednesday Aug 09, 2023
It Was a Thing on TV: Episode 397 - Pepper Dennis
Wednesday Aug 09, 2023
Wednesday Aug 09, 2023
This week on It Was a Thing on TV, Single female news journalist! Having lots of sex!
She had everything going for her… Looks, talent, intelligence, the right people surrounding her (even if one of them was “the best sex she ever had” who ended up taking her job). There was one problem… she was on a dead network. This week, we go to the newsroom to investigate the life and career of… “Pepper Dennis”.
Wednesday Aug 02, 2023
Wednesday Aug 02, 2023
This week on It Was a Thing on TV we talk about how this is the drop that gets results!
First in Minisode 28, one of the enshrinees this year’s Baseball HoF inductions was slugger Fred McGriff. While most people know him as a basher for a number of MLB teams, others remember him from appearing in frequently aired ads for baseball skill videos. We look back at the videos, and discover something amazing about those ads about a quarter century later.
Then in Episode 396, in 1979, Angie was bound for great success. Then ABC meddled with the schedule a number of times and despite being a top 5 show the season before, Angie found its way to cancellation a year later.
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Timestamps
0:36 - The Tom Emanski Baseball World Commercials
18:21 - Angie
Wednesday Jul 26, 2023
It Was a Thing on TV: Live Show 40 - Titanic II
Wednesday Jul 26, 2023
Wednesday Jul 26, 2023
It's a special It Was a Thing on TV Live Show! This epic cinematic masterpiece from Dick Van Dyke's grandson comes from the same people who brought you those straight-to-video mockbusters! Titanic II!
Originally released by The Asylum back in 2010, Titanic II is set in the far-off future of 2012! A wealthy billionaire builds his own version of the Titanic (with blackjack and hookers!) but little do they know that history is about to repeat itself!
Can Brooke Burns and Bruce Davison save Greg and Chico from boredom in this movie? Just remember never to let go!
Wednesday Jul 19, 2023
It Was a Thing on TV: Episode 395 - Hometown Commercials, Volume 4
Wednesday Jul 19, 2023
Wednesday Jul 19, 2023
It's a podcast tradition like any other. We have found more ads from podcast favorites like Marc Norton, Rhett & Link, and Darryl Isaacs. We have also discovered new favorites. By the end of this episode, you'll know what we do.
Sunday Jul 16, 2023
The ”It Was a Thing on TV” Hall of Fame Class of 2023
Sunday Jul 16, 2023
Sunday Jul 16, 2023
It's finally here on PTBN POP! The "It Was a Thing on TV" Hall of Fame Class of 2023!
Last year, our first class of inductees was admitted to the show's Hall of Fame. Now, we're adding 17 new entries into the Hall, ranging from podcast favorite actors to one-time appearances that left a mark on us.
Wednesday Jul 12, 2023
It Was a Thing on TV: Episode 394 - The Great American Telephone Trivia Game
Wednesday Jul 12, 2023
Wednesday Jul 12, 2023
This week on It Was a Thing on TV, we look at 1-900 numbers and trivia!
Art Fleming, legendary Jeopardy! emcee, made a very brief return to television in the early 90s with The Great American Telephone Trivia Game. Is it an infomercial? Is it a game show? ¿Por qué no los dos? Is it a bunch of hooey? You bet it is, and it cost just $1.95 per minute!Listener discretion is advised due to language.
Wednesday Jul 05, 2023
Wednesday Jul 05, 2023
This week on It Was a Thing on TV we look at a gold monkey and talk about Dorf.
First, now in theaters is the fifth and final outing of Harrison Ford as Indiana Jones. In 1982, ABC aired a show similar to *BUT* legally distinct from Raiders of the Lost Ark and it came from TV legend Donald Bellisario. It had action and excitement but could it capitalize on the adventure fever of Raiders? Weeeeeellllllllllllllllll, you'll have to listen to find out.
Then, because we are on the summer schedule, we thought it was time to give you one of our backlogged live shows that we haven’t had time to post here on PTBN POP.
Before Opening Day, Greg, Mike, and Chico sat down to watch Tim Conway as that famous character from 1990’s VHS commercials “Dorf” show how he does things on the diamond. Does hilarity ensue? Meh.
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Timestamps
0:36 - Tales of the Gold Monkey
1:14:27 - Dorf on the Diamond
Wednesday Jun 28, 2023
It Was a Thing on TV: Episode 392 - Camp Cucamonga
Wednesday Jun 28, 2023
Wednesday Jun 28, 2023
NBC had a thing for summer camp movies with some of the most popular teenage talent at the time. (See Episode 278, Poison Ivy.) Unlike Poison Ivy, Camp Cucamonga wasn't well-remembered, nor was it even that good. Enjoy some stereotypical rapping and a predictable ending with some of your favorite teenage stars from 1990 in this installment.
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Wednesday Jun 21, 2023
It Was a Thing on TV: Episodes 390 & 391 - Blansky’s Beauties/The Flash (1990)
Wednesday Jun 21, 2023
Wednesday Jun 21, 2023
This week on It Was a Thing on TV we look at a failed spin-off and look at a TV show with Barry Allen (no, not THAT one!)
First, we have talked about many failed spinoffs in the past, but this one is unique in the sense that it didn't happen concurrently with the parent show. Rather, this was set in 1977, versus Happy Days' 50s/60s setting. That is just the beginning of the confusion regarding Blansky's Beauties.
Then, before you see the Ezra Miller Flash f' up the DC multiverse for everybody, we talk about the highly bandied about original version of The Flash from 1990 on CBS, which went up against two powerhouse shows on its initially scheduled night, then went up against more tough competition on not such a great night.
But don't feel too bad as this version of The Flash would get closure close to 30 years later in the current version of The Flash on The CW.
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Timestamps
0:40 - Blansky’s Beauties
55:23 - The Flash (1990)
Sunday Jun 18, 2023
It Was a Thing on TV: Live Show 38 - The Kissing Booth 2
Sunday Jun 18, 2023
Sunday Jun 18, 2023
A few months ago, Greg & Chico covered the beginning of an era with "The Kissing Booth". The era continues as Elle & co. juggle senior year, long-distance relationships, college applications, and something that is similar to but legally distinct from Dance Dance Revolution. Pucker up as we talk about "The Kissing Booth 2."
Wednesday Jun 14, 2023
Wednesday Jun 14, 2023
This week on It Was a Thing on TV we celebrate the week of National Sex Day with the respect you know we bring to this podcast!
First, we're doing three episodes with related titles, though only this episode is really about the act itself. This short-lived WeTV entry could be summed up as sex therapy in The Cube. We advise listener discretion.
Then, we roll on with a British quizzer for the smartest of the smart, where you can earn the title of Cleverdick. It's not fetch happening; we explain that term in the beginning.
Finally, 20 years ago on June 11th, the finals of the 2002-03 Hardball Hot Seat competition should have aired. It didn't and thanks to our co-host Mike, one of the event's finalists, we provide you the inside scoop about why it didn't air, and other goodies about Mike's experiences at both the original Hot Seat taping in October 2002 and with the finals.
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Timestamps
1:22 - Sex Box
25:15 - Cleverdicks
58:46 - Hardball Hot Seat
Wednesday Jun 07, 2023
Wednesday Jun 07, 2023
This week on It Was a Thing on TV we roll the showdown dice before meeting Spidey and his Amazing Friends (but not those ones)
First, the mid-70s was a rotating door of game shows seemingly coming, then going after 13 to 26 weeks. The Big ShowDown was no different, except it was a brilliant dice-themed game of strategy and its host had a memorable entrance on one episode.
Then, in the 70s & early 80s, ABC was riding high with the world's greatest "Superfriends" based on the DC Comics. Marvel, not willing to let this go unchallenged, teamed up the face of the brand with an X-Man & an original character. to form "Spider-Man and His Amazing Friends". Before going "Across the Spider-Verse", take a deep dive into a show on NBC that lasted... shorter than you probably remember.
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Timestamps
1:53 - The Big Showdown
40:38 - Spider-Man and his Amazing Friends